More Information

Harbour Dues are payable on all vessels afloat on the rivers Crouch and Roach including off-river and mid-river marinas, basins, creeks, saltings, private land and mud berths and the requirements for display of Harbour Dues Plaque apply (Crouch Harbour Act 1974, s.55).

The revenue derived from Harbour Dues is used by the CHA to meet the cost of the management of the harbour including but not restricted to:

Giving advice and assistance

Maintaining navigation aids and marks

Seasonal patrolling

Publishing and distributing tide tables and Notices to Mariners both in hard copy and via website

Enforcement Byelaws

Providing information in regard to commercial traffic movements

Schedule of Harbour Dues and Charges 2019

(Yachts, Recreational Craft, Fishing Vessels, Houseboats)

Annual Harbour Dues (inc. VAT) – for full details see download in the right hand column

Discretionary Discounts are available for latecomers (see Latecomers’ Discount below).

Prompt Payment Rate we offer a discounted rate available only to:

Vessels on which dues are paid on or before 30th April

Vessels launched after 30th April only if dues are paid without being prompted, reported or reminded within 7 days of first annual launching on condition that proof of launch date is provided. If you are not afloat by 30th April and you are intending to launch within the next few months, it may be beneficial to pay your dues prior to launching to gain benefit of the Prompt Payment Rate.It is a condition of acceptance of the Prompt Payment Rate that the issued Harbour Dues Plaque is displayed on the vessel and is visible at all times. (Not behind covers please).

Vessel Length

Feet

Metres

Full Dues

*Prompt

8.00 – 15.50

2.44 – 4.73

£38.00

£27.00

15.51 – 21.50

4.74 – 6.55

£53.00

£37.00

21.51 – 26.50

6.56 – 8.07

£66.50

£46.50

26.51 – 32.50

8.08 – 9.90

£70.00

£49.00

32.51 – 38.50

9.91 – 11.73

£81.50

£57.00

38.51 – 49.50

11.74 – 15.08

£94.00

£66.00

49.51 – 59.50

15.09 – 18.12

£104.00

£73.00

59.51 +

18.13+

£132.50

£93.00

Gigs over 16ft £31.00

Atlantic Rowing Boats £31.00

Latecomers’ Discount

Discretionary discount available only to vessels paying annual Harbour Dues before or within seven days of first annual launching, without being reported, prompted or reminded.

Discount for first launching in August 20% discount on Prompt Payment Rate; September 30% discount on Prompt Payment Rate; October to December 50% discount on Prompt Payment Rate. Vessels reported afloat unpaid which are not eligible for Latecomers’ Discount will be liable to the full Annual Harbour Dues rate and the penalty charge based on that rate.

The CHA recommend that it is good practice to make sure that your vessel is insured covering public liability of at least £2,000.000.

Charges for Visiting Vessels (Only applies to vessels coming in from seaward)

Visiting vessels are entitled to one visit in any Dues year of up to 14 consecutive days free of charge before being charged for Harbour Dues.

Tenders

Bona Fide Tenders under 4.87m (16’) length provided clearly marked “Tender to (mother vessel)”. Tenders over the length of 16′ charged at 50% of ordinary Harbour Dues rate.NB. PWC’s (Jet Skis) are not classified as a tender and require a PWC Licence.

Boat Inspections

Please be aware that regualr boat inspections are carried out throughout the year by Harbour Staff in regard to payment of Harbour Dues which apply to all vessels afloat within the rivers Crouch and Roach. Please ensure that your current Harbour Dues Plaque is displayed on your vessel where it can be seen at all times (not behind covers) to avoid having a notice placed on your vessel when you have in fact paid but not displayed. Vessels not displaying a Plaque will be deemed not to have paid Harbour Dues.

We would very much appreciate it if owners can ensure that the vessel name is displayed on either the bow or stern. This will assist the Harbour Staff in identifying vessels during our boat inspections and also in the event of any incidents.

If you have not notifed the Crouch Harbour Authority of a change of ownership the registered keeper is still liable to pay the Harbour Dues.

Penalty Charge for Non-Payment of Harbour Dues

Harbour Dues are charges for use of the Harbour within the Authority’s jurisdiction as defined in Crouch Harbour Act 1974, which the Authority is empowered to make by that Act and by Harbours Act 1964.

Charges must be fair and reasonable and any person affected has a right to object to the Secretary of State for Transport under S.31 of Harbours Act 1964.

Failure to pay after written reminder will result in a Court Summons being issued. Harbour Dues are recoverable by the authority as a Civil Debt. The penalty charge for recovery of unpaid dues is three times the ordinary rate plus costs (Crouch Harbour Act S.58).

The Authority has the power under S.44 of 1847 Harbours Docks and Piers Clauses Act to distrain on (seize) vessels or their equipment to secure payment of Harbour Dues.